Regional-scale changes in diatom distribution in the Humboldt upwelling system as revealed by remote sensing: implications for fisheries

Jackson, T., Bouman, H. A., Sathyendranath, S., and Devred, E. 2011. Regional-scale changes in diatom distribution in the Humboldt upwelling system as revealed by remote sensing: implications for fisheries. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 729–736. A diatom-detection algorithm was parametrized for the Humboldt upwelling system using local cruise data that were first validated, then used to create monthly composites of diatom distribution from 0 to 40°S and 90 to 70°W for both normal and El Niño conditions. There was a 50% reduction in the areal extent of diatom-dominated waters during the peak of the 1997 El Niño. The extent of the coastward contraction in the diatom-dominated area varied along the South American coastline. These regional shifts in phyto- and zooplankton communities would have increased food stress on local anchovy (Engraulis ringens) populations and could have contributed to diminished larval survival and landings the following year. A region of strong upwelling over the wide Peruvian continental shelf around 15°S was the only area that maintained a strong diatom population throughout the El Niño; the area may require special protection from fishing pressure in years following an El Niño event.